IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the editor for March 20, 2013

Published: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 9:10 p.m.

Corruption run amok

Ethical scandals have been a big part of Florida politics for some time now. Between 2000 and 2010, Florida has led the nation in federal corruption convictions. We are the laughing stock of the nation and the brunt of many corruption jokes. Corruption is pervasive at all levels of Florida government.

We have had grand jury investigations and we have had federal probes. Yet, nothing seems to stop or even slow the culture of corruption that exists.

Now, the Florida Legislature is working to pass an ethics reform bill. It is a watered-down, half-baked bill that ignores the key recommendations from the grand Jury on public corruption.

We need real ethics reform now! Everybody from the dog catcher to the governor needs to be held accountable for their actions, or the lack thereof. We need a law with teeth. The state’s Ethics Commission should be able to launch independent investigations of its own. Currently, a citizen must file a complaint in order for an investigation to be launched.

Call your state representatives now and tell them we are tired of the culture of corruption that exists in our great state and we are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore!

Anthony Kubis

Ocala

Portman’s epiphany

I find it heartening that U.S. Sen. Bob Portman of Ohio has changed his views on gay marriage now that HIS son is gay.

Interesting how this Republican senator who supported the Defense of Marriage Act decides things one way when there is no implication for him but when it is in his own backyard he is perfectly comfortable changing his mind.

Tells you just how our government is willing to do things — like suppress rights until it directly affects them.

I am glad that Portman came around, but why only because his son is gay? There were other people in his state who had gay children he was perfectly willing to step on before this.

Richard Lind

Ocala

Breaking what’s not broken

I am happy for the writer who was able to secure sinkhole insurance coverage, but I think she misses the point. The point is the Legislature changed something that wasn’t broke and broke it.

Florida statues required insurers to provide sinkhole coverage as part of any homeowner’s insurance policy before state Statue 627.706. The question is, why was the change made? One has to ask: If an insurance provider is willing to cover sinkholes for an additional $40-$100, why not just add it to the premium? Why do they need an option not to provide the coverage?

In my opinion, the reasons are simple — insurance companies do not want to provide the coverage and their lobbying efforts were successful. Here again, our state Legislature lives up to its nickname as “the best legislature money can buy.” I can’t help but think that if Charlie Crist was still governor when this was passed he would have vetoed the bill. Unfortunately, our current governor will do anything for big business without regard to the Florida consumer.

The following was taken from a Florida Senate Bill 792 being considered: “Florida Statute does not require an insurance company to provide sinkhole insurance on a home that has been repaired from a sinkhole. However, this bill would allow homeowners with a repaired sinkhole the ability to purchase a wind, theft, fire and other perils insurance policy.” Notice there is no mention of sinkhole coverage. I wonder what mortgage company will make a loan on one of these properties or properties in the area?

James Harris

Ocala

Angry over the anger

I’m frustrated by the accusations in the letters against the president, but I am extremely offended by comments like those of a recent writer about low-information voters who elected President Obama. Her letter complains about Democrats demonizing others’ opinions, but that Republicans are so upstanding.

Has she forgotten the facts? The night of Obama’s first inauguration, top Republicans stated publicly they would vote against any measure brought by the president. Mitch McConnell stood in front of cameras and stated his and the party’s main goal was to be sure that Obama would only be a one-term president. Key Republicans did not even attend the latest inauguration, while many Republican politicians in public interviews have used insulting, not just critical, words against the president and actually stated, as if a fact, that Obama only became president so he could destroy our country.

Our country has always had a two-party system — someone wins and someone loses. Until Bill Clinton was elected, voters accepted the new president, no matter which party, and he and Congress worked together for the country. But not now. How can you expect a man to keep reaching out to the other side when he is constantly reminded that their main purpose is not to help this country but to “get him?”

Lastly, I am tired and angry at being called ignorant, a mindless follower and stupid by people who hate the president and after five years are still unwilling to accept him.

I am a 71-year-old white, married woman. I’m educated and have worked all my life in good jobs, have owned several homes, have voted since I was 18 and am an extensive reader. The people I know personally who voted for the president are in this same category. So you are entitled to your opinion, but don’t feel that you are superior to people who don’t share your views.

I still believe the people who are so full of contempt and hate just can’t accept that the majority of American voters did not have any problem in electing a black man to lead our country.

<p><b>Corruption run amok</b></p><p>Ethical scandals have been a big part of Florida politics for some time now. Between 2000 and 2010, Florida has led the nation in federal corruption convictions. We are the laughing stock of the nation and the brunt of many corruption jokes. Corruption is pervasive at all levels of Florida government.</p><p>We have had grand jury investigations and we have had federal probes. Yet, nothing seems to stop or even slow the culture of corruption that exists.</p><p>Now, the Florida Legislature is working to pass an ethics reform bill. It is a watered-down, half-baked bill that ignores the key recommendations from the grand Jury on public corruption.</p><p>We need real ethics reform now! Everybody from the dog catcher to the governor needs to be held accountable for their actions, or the lack thereof. We need a law with teeth. The state's Ethics Commission should be able to launch independent investigations of its own. Currently, a citizen must file a complaint in order for an investigation to be launched.</p><p>Call your state representatives now and tell them we are tired of the culture of corruption that exists in our great state and we are mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore!</p><p><i>Anthony Kubis</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Portman's epiphany</b></p><p>I find it heartening that U.S. Sen. Bob Portman of Ohio has changed his views on gay marriage now that HIS son is gay.</p><p>Interesting how this Republican senator who supported the Defense of Marriage Act decides things one way when there is no implication for him but when it is in his own backyard he is perfectly comfortable changing his mind.</p><p>Tells you just how our government is willing to do things — like suppress rights until it directly affects them.</p><p>I am glad that Portman came around, but why only because his son is gay? There were other people in his state who had gay children he was perfectly willing to step on before this.</p><p><i>Richard Lind</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Breaking what's not broken</b></p><p>I am happy for the writer who was able to secure sinkhole insurance coverage, but I think she misses the point. The point is the Legislature changed something that wasn't broke and broke it.</p><p>Florida statues required insurers to provide sinkhole coverage as part of any homeowner's insurance policy before state Statue 627.706. The question is, why was the change made? One has to ask: If an insurance provider is willing to cover sinkholes for an additional $40-$100, why not just add it to the premium? Why do they need an option not to provide the coverage?</p><p>In my opinion, the reasons are simple — insurance companies do not want to provide the coverage and their lobbying efforts were successful. Here again, our state Legislature lives up to its nickname as “the best legislature money can buy.” I can't help but think that if Charlie Crist was still governor when this was passed he would have vetoed the bill. Unfortunately, our current governor will do anything for big business without regard to the Florida consumer.</p><p>The following was taken from a Florida Senate Bill 792 being considered: “Florida Statute does not require an insurance company to provide sinkhole insurance on a home that has been repaired from a sinkhole. However, this bill would allow homeowners with a repaired sinkhole the ability to purchase a wind, theft, fire and other perils insurance policy.” Notice there is no mention of sinkhole coverage. I wonder what mortgage company will make a loan on one of these properties or properties in the area?</p><p><i>James Harris</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Angry over the anger</b></p><p>I'm frustrated by the accusations in the letters against the president, but I am extremely offended by comments like those of a recent writer about low-information voters who elected President Obama. Her letter complains about Democrats demonizing others' opinions, but that Republicans are so upstanding.</p><p>Has she forgotten the facts? The night of Obama's first inauguration, top Republicans stated publicly they would vote against any measure brought by the president. Mitch McConnell stood in front of cameras and stated his and the party's main goal was to be sure that Obama would only be a one-term president. Key Republicans did not even attend the latest inauguration, while many Republican politicians in public interviews have used insulting, not just critical, words against the president and actually stated, as if a fact, that Obama only became president so he could destroy our country.</p><p>Our country has always had a two-party system — someone wins and someone loses. Until Bill Clinton was elected, voters accepted the new president, no matter which party, and he and Congress worked together for the country. But not now. How can you expect a man to keep reaching out to the other side when he is constantly reminded that their main purpose is not to help this country but to “get him?”</p><p>Lastly, I am tired and angry at being called ignorant, a mindless follower and stupid by people who hate the president and after five years are still unwilling to accept him.</p><p>I am a 71-year-old white, married woman. I'm educated and have worked all my life in good jobs, have owned several homes, have voted since I was 18 and am an extensive reader. The people I know personally who voted for the president are in this same category. So you are entitled to your opinion, but don't feel that you are superior to people who don't share your views.</p><p>I still believe the people who are so full of contempt and hate just can't accept that the majority of American voters did not have any problem in electing a black man to lead our country.</p><p><i>Kathleen Riley</p><p>Summerfield</i></p>